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Terrestrial Amphibian Report Plethodon fourchensis " Class: Amphibia Order: Caudata Family: Plethodontidae Priority Score: 46 out of 100 Population Trend: Unknown G Rank: G2Q — Imperiled (questionable taxonomy) S Rank: S2 — Imperiled in Arkansas Distribution Ecoregions where the species occurs: Ozark Highlands Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Boston Mountains Mississippi Alluvial Plain Arkansas Valley South Central Plains Ouachita Mountains Element Occurrence Records Taxa Association Team and Peer Reviewers AGFC Mr. Kelly Irwin, ASU Dr. Stan Trauth Plethodon fourchensis " Page 79 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Potential Habitat Map Habitats Weight Ouachita Montane Oak Forest Optimal Ozark-Ouachita Dry-Mesic Oak Forest Suitable Ozark-Ouachita Mesic Hardwood Forest Optimal Ozark-Ouachita Pine-Oak Forest Suitable Problems Faced POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Habitat destruction, forestry practices KNOWN PROBLEMS: UNKNOWN Threat: Habitat destruction or conversion Source: Forestry activities Data Gaps/Research Needs Genetic assessment of species boundaries in Plethodon ouachitae complex. Conservation Actions Importance Category Conduct controlled burns. Medium Fire Management Eliminate timber harvest within known range. High Habitat Restoration/Improvement Set aside wilderness areas where species occurs to insure long term survival. High Habitat Protection Monitoring Strategies Establish long term monitoring plots. Plethodon fourchensis " Page 80 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Comments This salamander is endemic to Fourche and Irons Fork Mountains in Ouachita National Forest. It can be difficult to inventory due to the necessity of recent precipitation to initiate surface/subsurface activity. Inhabits dry-mesic shaded valley slopes and rocky wooded hillsides where it lives under rocks and logs (ANHI 2003, Blair and Lindsay 1965, Conant and Collins 1998, Crump 2003, Crump and others 2003A, 2003C, 2003D, 2003F, 2003P, Duncan and Highton 1979, Lohoefener and Jones 1991, ONHI 2003, Plummer 1982, Robison and Allen 1995, Taylor and others 1990, Trauth and others 2004, Trauth and Wilhide 1999, USDA FS 1999, Wilson 1995). Plethodon fourchensis " Page 81 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Plethodon kiamichi $ " Class: Amphibia Order: Caudata Family: Plethodontidae Priority Score: 50 out of 100 Population Trend: Unknown G Rank: G2Q — Imperiled (questionable taxonomy) S Rank: S1 — Critically imperiled in Arkansas Distribution Ecoregions where the species occurs: Ozark Highlands Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Boston Mountains Mississippi Alluvial Plain Arkansas Valley South Central Plains Ouachita Mountains Element Occurrence Records Taxa Association Team and Peer Reviewers AGFC Mr. Kelly Irwin, ASU Dr. Stan Trauth Plethodon kiamichi $ " Page 82 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Potential Habitat Map Habitats Weight Ozark-Ouachita Dry-Mesic Oak Forest Suitable Ozark-Ouachita Mesic Hardwood Forest Optimal Ozark-Ouachita Pine-Oak Forest Suitable Ozark-Ouachita Riparian Optimal Problems Faced POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Habitat destruction, forestry practices KNOWN PROBLEMS: Unknown Threat: Habitat destruction or conversion Source: Forestry activities Data Gaps/Research Needs Conduct distribution and abundance surveys. Genetic assessment of species boundaries in Plethodon complex. Conservation Actions Importance Category Acquire habitat. Medium Land Acquisition Conduct controlled burns. Medium Fire Management Eliminate timber harvest within known range. High Habitat Restoration/Improvement Set aside wilderness areas where species occurs to insure long term survival. High Habitat Protection Monitoring Strategies Plethodon kiamichi $ " Page 83 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Comments Endemic to Cow Creek Mountain of the Kiamichi system in the Ouachita Mountains. Locally common but very restricted range. Inhabits seepage areas, dry-mesic shaded valley slopes and rocky wooded hillsides where it lives under rocks and in rotting logs (ANHI 2003, Blair and Lindsay 1965, Crump 2003, Crump and others 2003A, 2003C, 2003D, 2003F, 2003P, Duncan and Highton 1979, Highton 1989, McAllister and others 2002, ONHI 2003, Trauth and others 2004, USDA FS 1999, Wilson 1995). Trauth and others (2004) provide a detailed distribution map. Plethodon kiamichi $ " Page 84 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Plethodon kisatchie % Class: Amphibia Order: Caudata Family: Plethodontidae Priority Score: 27 out of 100 Population Trend: Unknown G Rank: G3G4Q — Vulnerable (uncertain rank, questionable taxonomy) S Rank: S2 — Imperiled in Arkansas Distribution Ecoregions where the species occurs: Ozark Highlands Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Boston Mountains Mississippi Alluvial Plain Arkansas Valley South Central Plains Ouachita Mountains Element Occurrence Records Taxa Association Team and Peer Reviewers AGFC Mr. Kelly Irwin, ASU Dr. Stan Trauth Plethodon kisatchie % Page 85 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Potential Habitat Map Habitats Weight West Gulf Coastal Plain Mesic Hardwood Forest Optimal West Gulf Coastal Plain Pine-Hardwood Forest Suitable Problems Faced POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Habitat destruction, forestry practices KNOWN PROBLEMS: Unknown Threat: Habitat destruction Source: Forestry activities Data Gaps/Research Needs Conduct distribution and abundance survey. Genetic assessment of species boundaries in Plethodon complex. Conservation Actions Importance Category Acquire habitat. High Land Acquisition Conduct controlled burns. Medium Fire Management Eliminate timber harvest within known range. High Habitat Restoration/Improvement Monitoring Strategies Comments Trauth and others (2004) summarized the literature and biology of this salamander. Distribution is very limited within the south central coastal plain. It is most commonly found in beech hardwood/pine forests. However, most of this species' preferred habitat has been converted to pine plantation monocultures, which is unsuitable habitat. Optimal survey conditions require recent precipitation in the spring and fall months to initiate activity. Plethodon kisatchie % Page 86 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Plethodon ouachitae " Class: Amphibia Order: Caudata Family: Plethodontidae Priority Score: 38 out of 100 Population Trend: Unknown G Rank: G2G3 — Imperiled (uncertain rank) S Rank: S2 — Imperiled in Arkansas Distribution Ecoregions where the species occurs: Ozark Highlands Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Boston Mountains Mississippi Alluvial Plain Arkansas Valley South Central Plains Ouachita Mountains Element Occurrence Records Taxa Association Team and Peer Reviewers AGFC Mr. Kelly Irwin, ASU Dr. Stan Trauth Plethodon ouachitae " Page 87 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Potential Habitat Map Habitats Weight Ouachita Mesic Hardwood Forest and Guild Habitat Optimal Ouachita Montane Oak Forest Optimal Ouachita Mountain Forested Seep Optimal Problems Faced POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Habitat destruction, forestry practices KNOWN PROBLEMS: UNKNOWN Threat: Habitat destruction or conversion Source: Forestry activities Data Gaps/Research Needs Genetic assessment of species boundaries in Plethodon ouachitae complex. Conservation Actions Importance Category Conduct controlled burns. Medium Fire Management Eliminate timber harvest within known range. High Habitat Restoration/Improvement Set aside wilderness areas where species occurs to insure long term survival. High Habitat Protection Monitoring Strategies Establish long term monitoring plots. Plethodon ouachitae " Page 88 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Comments Endemic to Rich Mountain and Black Fork Mountain. The species inhabits seepage areas, mesic shaded valley slopes and rocky wooded hillsides where it occurs under rocks and logs. The effects of red-oak borer and recent ice damage may have influenced population densities but empirical data are lacking. (ANHI 2003, Anthony 1993, Anthony 1995, Anthony and others 2002, Anthony and Wicknick 1993, Atwill and Trauth 1988, Black and Dellinger 1938, Blair and Lindsay 1965, Burt 1935, Crump 2003, Crump and others 2003A, 2003C, 2003D, 2003F, 2003P, Duncan and Highton 1979, Dunn and Heinze 1933, McAllister and others 2002, ONHI 2003, Petranka 1998, Pope and Pope 1951, Reagan 1974a, Sievert 1986, Taylor and others 1990, Thurow 1976, Trauth and others 2004, Trauth and Wilhide 1999, USDA FS 1999, Wilson 1995). Plethodon ouachitae " Page 89 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Plethodon sequoyah & Class: Amphibia Order: Caudata Family: Plethodontidae Priority Score: 50 out of 100 Population Trend: Unknown G Rank: G2Q — Imperiled (questionable taxonomy) S Rank: S1 — Critically imperiled in Arkansas Distribution Ecoregions where the species occurs: Ozark Highlands Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Boston Mountains Mississippi Alluvial Plain Arkansas Valley South Central Plains Ouachita Mountains Element Occurrence Records Taxa Association Team and Peer Reviewers AGFC Mr. Kelly Irwin, ASU Dr. Stan Trauth Plethodon sequoyah & Page 90 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Potential Habitat Map Habitats Weight Ouachita Dry-Mesic Oak Forest Suitable Ouachita Mesic Hardwood Forest and Guild Habitat Optimal Ouachita Mountain Forested Seep Suitable Ouachita Pine-Oak Forest Suitable Ouachita Riparian Suitable Problems Faced POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Habitat destruction, forestry practices KNOWN PROBLEMS: UNKNOWN Threat: Habitat destruction or conversion Source: Forestry activities Data Gaps/Research Needs Further survey work is needed to verify this species' distribution and life history within the state. Genetic assessment of species boundaries in Plethodon ouachitae complex. Conservation Actions Importance Category Acquire habitat. High Land Acquisition Conduct controlled burns. Medium Fire Management Eliminate timber harvest within known range. High Habitat Restoration/Improvement Monitoring Strategies Plethodon sequoyah & Page 91 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Comments The Sequoyah Slimy salamander is a regional endemic with extremely restricted range. One specimen has been reported by Trauth and others (2004) from near Lake DeQueen in Arkansas. The species inhabits seepage areas and slopes in shaded valley slopes and rocky wooded hillsides where it lives under rocks and logs (ANHI 2003, Black and Sievert 1989, Highton 1989, Huntington and Stuhlman 1993, ONHI 2003, Trauth and others 2004). Plethodon sequoyah & Page 92 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Pseudacris illinoensis ' # Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Hylidae Priority Score: 43 out of 100 Population Trend: Decreasing G Rank: G3 — Vulnerable species S Rank: S1 — Critically imperiled in Arkansas Distribution Ecoregions where the species occurs: Ozark Highlands Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Boston Mountains Mississippi Alluvial Plain Arkansas Valley South Central Plains Ouachita Mountains Element Occurrence Records Taxa Association Team and Peer Reviewers AGFC Mr. Kelly Irwin, ASU Dr. Stan Trauth Pseudacris illinoensis ' # Page 93 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Potential Habitat Map Habitats Weight Crop Land Marginal Ponds, Lakes, and Water Holes Obligate Problems Faced Threat: Chemical alteration Source: Crop production practices POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Habitat destruction, agricultural practices KNOWN PROBLEMS: Habitat destruction, agricultural practices Threat: Habitat destruction Source: Crop production practices Sustained laser leveling and well drilling as supported by government agencies accelerates habitat destruction and loss. Data Gaps/Research Needs Continue metapopulation genetics research. Conservation Actions Importance Category Land acquisition. High Habitat Restoration/Improvement Restore ephemeral wetlands and sand prairie habitat. High Habitat Restoration/Improvement Monitoring Strategies Establish and implement long term monitoring protocol. Pseudacris illinoensis ' # Page 94 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Comments Trauth and others (2004) summarized the literature and biology of this species. The Priority Score value does not adquately reflect the imperiled status of this frog in Arkansas (McCallum and Trauth 2002). The extremely limited distribution (found only in extreme eastern Clay County), coupled with extensive habitat loss (conversion to intensive agricultural practices within its range) threatens the continued existence of this frog in Arkansas. (McCallum and Trauth 2001a, 2001b, McCallum and others 2001, McCallum and Trauth 2002, Moriarity and Cannatella 2004, Trauth e al. 2004, Tucker 2000) Pseudacris illinoensis ' # Page 95 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Pseudacris streckeri " ( # Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Hylidae Priority Score: 19 out of 100 Population Trend: Unknown G Rank: G5 — Secure S Rank: S2 — Imperiled in Arkansas Distribution Ecoregions where the species occurs: Ozark Highlands Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Boston Mountains Mississippi Alluvial Plain Arkansas Valley South Central Plains Ouachita Mountains Element Occurrence Records Taxa Association Team and Peer Reviewers AGFC Mr. Kelly Irwin, ASU Dr. Stan Trauth Pseudacris streckeri " (# Page 96 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Potential Habitat Map Habitats Weight Arkansas Valley Prairie and Woodland Optimal Crop Land Marginal Ponds, Lakes, and Water Holes Suitable Southeastern Great Plains Tallgrass Prairie Optimal West Gulf Coastal Plain Pine-Hardwood Forest Marginal Problems Faced POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Habitat destruction, agricultural practices KNOWN PROBLEMS: Habitat destruction, agricultural practices Threat: Habitat destruction Source: Crop production practices Data Gaps/Research Needs Further distribution and abundance survey work is needed. Conservation Actions Importance Category Acquire habitat. High Land Acquisition Restore ephemeral wetlands and sand prairies. High Habitat Restoration/Improvement Monitoring Strategies Pseudacris streckeri " (# Page 97 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Comments Inhabits sandy soil prairies of the Arkansas Valley and surrounding uplands. (ANHI 2003, Black and Dellinger 1938, Bragg 1942, Burt 1935, Butterfield and others 1989, Conant and Collins 1998, Crump 2003, Crump and others 2003A, 2003C, 2003D, 2003F, 2003P, Dowling 1957, Fesperman 1986, Hurter and Streaker 1909, Irwin and Irwin 2001, Parker 1947, Smith 1966a, Taylor 1935, Trauth and others 1990, Trauth and others 2004, Turnipseed and Shepherd 1985, USDA FS 1999, Wilson 1995). Pseudacris streckeri " (# Page 98 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Rana areolata areolata # Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Ranidae Priority Score: 27 out of 100 Population Trend: Unknown G Rank: G4T4 — Apparently secure (apparently secure subspecies) S Rank: S1 — Critically imperiled in Arkansas Distribution Ecoregions where the species occurs: Ozark Highlands Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Boston Mountains Mississippi Alluvial Plain Arkansas Valley South Central Plains Ouachita Mountains Element Occurrence Records Taxa Association Team and Peer Reviewers AGFC Mr. Kelly Irwin, ASU Dr. Stan Trauth Rana areolata areolata # Page 99 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Potential Habitat Map Habitats Weight Pasture Land Suitable Ponds, Lakes, and Water Holes Obligate West Gulf Coastal Plain Large River Floodplain Forest Obligate West Gulf Coastal Plain Red River Floodplain Forest Suitable Problems Faced Threat: Habitat destruction Source: Crop production practices POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Habitat destruction KNOWN PROBLEMS: Unknown Threat: Habitat destruction Source: Forestry activities Data Gaps/Research Needs Further distribution and abundance surveys are needed. Conservation Actions More data are needed to determine conservation actions. Importance Medium Category Data Gap Monitoring Strategies Comments Trauth and others (2004) summarize the literature and biology of this species (Rana areolata). Further systematic work is needed to ascertain whether a species complex exists within R. areolata. This subspecies (Rana a. areolata) has been reported from two counties in Arkansas. Rana areolata areolata # Page 100 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Rana areolata circulosa # Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Ranidae Priority Score: 23 out of 100 Population Trend: Unknown G Rank: G4T4 — Apparently secure (apparently secure subspecies) S Rank: S2 — Imperiled in Arkansas Distribution Ecoregions where the species occurs: Ozark Highlands Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Boston Mountains Mississippi Alluvial Plain Arkansas Valley South Central Plains Ouachita Mountains Element Occurrence Records Taxa Association Team and Peer Reviewers AGFC Mr. Kelly Irwin, ASU Dr. Stan Trauth Rana areolata circulosa # Page 101 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Potential Habitat Map Habitats Weight Arkansas Valley Prairie and Woodland Optimal Crop Land Marginal Lower Mississippi Alluvial Plain Grand Prairie Optimal Ponds, Lakes, and Water Holes Optimal Southeastern Great Plains Tallgrass Prairie Optimal Problems Faced Threat: Habitat destruction Source: Urban development Threat: Source: POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Habitat destruction KNOWN PROBLEMS: Unknown Threat: Habitat destruction Source: Crop production practices Data Gaps/Research Needs Further distribution and abundance survey work is needed. Conservation Actions More data are needed to determine conservation actions. Importance Medium Category Data Gap Monitoring Strategies Rana areolata circulosa # Page 102 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Comments Except for a Scott County occurrence near Waldron, AR, this species is primarily associated with floodplain prairie systems and open uplands of the Ozark and Ouachita ecoregions. See comments in R. a. areolata species account regarding taxonomic relationship of these two subspecies. (ANHI 2003, Bacon and Anderson 1976, Black and Dellinger 1938, Byrd and Hanebrink 1974, Collins 1974, Conant and Collins 1991, Conant and Collins 1998, Crump 2003, Crump and others 2003A, 2003C, 2003D, 2003F, 2003P, Dowling 1957, Johnson 1977, Plummer 1977f, Plummer and White 1992, Taylor 1935, Trauth and others 1990, Trauth and others 2004, USDA FS 1999, Wilson 1995). Rana areolata circulosa # Page 103 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Rana sylvatica ) Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Ranidae Priority Score: 15 out of 100 Population Trend: Unknown G Rank: G5 — Secure S Rank: S3 — Vulnerable in Arkansas Distribution Ecoregions where the species occurs: Ozark Highlands Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Boston Mountains Mississippi Alluvial Plain Arkansas Valley South Central Plains Ouachita Mountains Element Occurrence Records Taxa Association Team and Peer Reviewers AGFC Mr. Kelly Irwin, ASU Dr. Stan Trauth Rana sylvatica ) Page 104 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Potential Habitat Map Habitats Weight Central Interior Highlands and Appalachian Sinkhole and Depression Pond Optimal Ozark-Ouachita Mesic Hardwood Forest Optimal Ponds, Lakes, and Water Holes Obligate Problems Faced Threat: Toxins/contaminants Source: Municipal/Industrial point source POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Habitat destruction, forestry practices, airborne contaminants KNOWN PROBLEMS: Breeding site mass mortality Threat: Habitat destruction Source: Forestry activities Data Gaps/Research Needs Determine cause(s) of breeding site mortality. Conservation Actions More data are needed to determine conservation actions. Importance Medium Category Data Gap Monitoring Strategies Monitor breeding sites for mass mortality events and changes in local population dynamics. Rana sylvatica ) Page 105 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Comments Trauth and others (2004) summarized the literature and biology of this frog. Recent concern about this species' long term survival has been raised due to as-yet-unexplained mass mortality at breeding sites in undisturbed sites within the Ozark National Forest. (McCallum and others 2003a, 2003b; Trauth and others 2000) Rana sylvatica ) Page 106 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Scaphiopus holbrookii Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Scaphiopodidae Priority Score: 19 out of 100 Population Trend: Unknown G Rank: G5 — Secure S Rank: S2 — Imperiled in Arkansas Distribution Ecoregions where the species occurs: Ozark Highlands Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Boston Mountains Mississippi Alluvial Plain Arkansas Valley South Central Plains Ouachita Mountains Element Occurrence Records Taxa Association Team and Peer Reviewers AGFC Mr. Kelly Irwin, ASU Dr. Stan Trauth Scaphiopus holbrookii Page 107 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Potential Habitat Map Habitats Weight Crop Land Marginal Mississippi River Alluvial Plain Loess Slope Forest Suitable Ponds, Lakes, and Water Holes Obligate Problems Faced POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Habitat destruction, agricultural practices KNOWN PROBLEMS: Unknown. Threat: Habitat destruction Source: Crop production practices Data Gaps/Research Needs Further distribution and abundance survey work needed. Conservation Actions More data are needed to determine conservation actions. Importance Medium Category Data Gap Monitoring Strategies Comments Trauth and others (2004) summarized the literature and biology of this frog. Scaphiopus holbrookii Page 108 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Scaphiopus hurterii * ( Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Scaphiopodidae Priority Score: 19 out of 100 Population Trend: Unknown G Rank: G5 — Secure S Rank: S2 — Imperiled in Arkansas Distribution Ecoregions where the species occurs: Ozark Highlands Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Boston Mountains Mississippi Alluvial Plain Arkansas Valley South Central Plains Ouachita Mountains Element Occurrence Records Taxa Association Team and Peer Reviewers AGFC Mr. Kelly Irwin, ASU Dr. Stan Trauth Scaphiopus hurterii * ( Page 109 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Potential Habitat Map Habitats Weight Arkansas Valley Prairie and Woodland Optimal Crop Land Marginal Ponds, Lakes, and Water Holes Obligate Southeastern Great Plains Tallgrass Prairie Optimal West Gulf Coastal Plain Sandhill Oak and Shortleaf Pine Forest and Woodland Suitable Problems Faced Threat: Habitat destruction Source: Forestry activities POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Habitat destruction KNOWN PROBLEMS: Unknown Threat: Habitat destruction Source: Crop production practices Data Gaps/Research Needs Further distribution and abundance survey work needed. Conservation Actions More data are needed to determine conservation actions. Importance Medium Category Data Gap Monitoring Strategies Comments Trauth and others (2004) summarized the literature and biology of this frog. Scaphiopus hurterii * ( Page 110 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Spea bombifrons Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Scaphiopodidae Priority Score: 23 out of 100 Population Trend: Unknown G Rank: G5 — Secure S Rank: S1 — Critically imperiled in Arkansas Distribution Ecoregions where the species occurs: Ozark Highlands Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Boston Mountains Mississippi Alluvial Plain Arkansas Valley South Central Plains Ouachita Mountains Element Occurrence Records Taxa Association Team and Peer Reviewers AGFC Mr. Kelly Irwin, ASU Dr. Stan Trauth Spea bombifrons Page 111 Terrestrial Amphibian Report Potential Habitat Map Habitats Weight Ponds, Lakes, and Water Holes Obligate Southeastern Great Plains Tallgrass Prairie Optimal Problems Faced Threat: Habitat destruction Source: Crop production practices Data Gaps/Research Needs Further distribution and abundance survey work needed. Conservation Actions Importance Category Acquire habitat. Medium Land Acquisition Restore ephemeral wetlands. Medium Habitat Restoration/Improvement Monitoring Strategies Comments Trauth and others (2004) summarized the literature and biology of this frog. This species is known from only two records in the Arkansas River Valley. Spea bombifrons Page 112
